Sorting device



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March 29, 1932. c. c. CASEY SORTING DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 10, 1928 Patented Mar. 29, .1932

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SORTING DEVICE Application filed March 10, 1928. Serial No. 260,563.

The present invention pertains to a novel sorting device of the general character dis-- closed in my Patent No. 1,439,7 93, of December 26, 1922, but modified for greater capacity and greater convenience in handling. The ordinary foldable sorting device of the flap type becomes too long for convenient handling if more than a limited number of flaps are provided therein. The handling of such a device moreover requires considerable shifting back and forth as the operator uses the parts of the alphabet located at the ends thereof. The present invention overcomes such shifting and moving of the sorter by bodily movement thereof, with the result that more flaps may be used, the operators work is less tedious and hence quicker and more accurate.

In keeping with these objects, the device of the invention embodies a series of flaps movable in unison along a track. This track ma be in the form of a separate member which itself may be carried from place to place, or in the nature of a built-in structure provided in the top of a desk or work table. A carriage moves in this track and carries the index flaps which under these conditions,

may be more'numerous than is conveniently possible in the foldable type of sorter. The

overlapping index flaps are secured to this carriage, and the latter may be easily shifted by the operator with one hand in filing in distant parts of the alphabet or series, while the other hand may at the same time be used for locating and lifting an article from the pile of work.

The invention is fully disclosed by way of example in the following description and in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a perspective view of the de- Fig. 2 is a plan view of the track and carria e;

\ ig. 3 is a longitudinal section thereof;

Fig. 4 is a transverse section thereof; Fig. 5 is a fragmentary perspective View of the flaps and base therefor;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the tray;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary longitudinal sec- 50 'tion of the structure shown in Figure 5;

. self as at 14 and finally has its other end se- Fig. 8 is a transverse section of the complete device; and

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary longitudinal sect1on thereof.

Reference to these views will now be made by use of like characters which are employed to deslgnate corresponding parts throughout.

The track member is preferably formed of sheet-metal stamped to provide a flat bottom sect1on 2, side flanges 3 and upper flanges 4 extendmg inwardly from the edges of the slde flanges to provide the ways as will presently appear. In the track member is mounted a carriage having a body in the shape of a tray 5 w1th rollers 6 secured to the sides thereof. These rollers ride in the ways previously mentioned, namely those formed by the flanges 4 cooperating with the flat portion 2 of the track member.

The carriage -5 in turn receives a tray 7 fitted therein and bent inwardly at points 8 to accommodate the heads of the pins 9 which hold the rollers 6 to the carriage. The tray carries the sorter tabs or flaps, the assembly of which will now be described.

These flaps are arranged upon a stiff elongated base member 10 across which are laid binding strips 11 bent to a U-shaped configuration and disposed in pairs nested one within the other as shown more clearly in Figure 7. Each flap has one end secured between a pair of nested binders, co-extensively therewith as indicated by the numeral 12, is carried outwardly as at 13, bent back upon itcured in the adjacent pair of binders as at 15. A tape 16 is now wound transversely around the base 10 and laid across the backs of the uppermost U-shaped binders whereby it secures the binders and flaps to the base and acquires a somewhat helical formation. This structure fits into the tray 7 as shown in Figure 8 and is preferably secured thereto, so that a number of such flap and tray assemblies may be interchangeable with-respect to the carriage 5.

The sides of the carriage are provided with longitudinal strips 17 havingtheir ends bent outwardly at 18 to serve as stop members in conjunction with angular bumpers 20 secured to the ends of the track member. This arrangement prevents the carriage from bein slid oil the track.

n the use of the device the number'of tabs or flaps provided on the carriage may be so great that the ends of the series are out of reach of the operator. This however is not detrimental to the use of the device, since the. entire series may be instantly shifted by moving the carriage along the track. Hence this s stem enables the use of a 'reater number o flaps than is usually ossi ble in a sortaround said base member and over said bin in device of this general c aracter.

e track, instead of beinga separate member, may be built into the top of a desk or table if desired.

Although a specific embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described, it will be understood that various alterations inthe details of construction may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as indicated by the appended claims. What I claim is 1L Asorting device comprising a track member, a carriage movable along said member, and .a' series of mutually overlapping flaps carried by said carriage, said flaps bein swingable on axes lying t-ransversel of said track and-adapted to receive mem ers of greaterwi-dth. than the flaps and track therebetween.

2. A sorting. device comprising a track member, a carriage movable along said mem her, a base member carried by said carriage, and-a series of mutually overlapping flaps attached to said. base member, said flaps being swin able on axes lying transversel of said tract and adapted to receive mem ers of greater width than the .flaps and track therebetween.

3. A sorting device comprising a track member, a carriage movable along said member, a removable tra mounted on said carriage, and a series 0 flaps mounted on said tray on axes lying transversely of said track.

4. A sorting device comprising va track member, a carriage movable along said member, a removable tray mounted on said car-.

riage, a base member secured in said tray, and

a series of flaps secured to said base mem-.

her on axes lying transversely of said track.

'5. A sorting device comprising a track, a base member mounted to move along said track, binding members secured transversely of said base member, flaps secured in said bindin members, and a tape wound helicall around said base member and over said bind ing members;

6. A sorting device comprising a track, a base member mounted to move along said track, binding members secured transverseother end inserted between the adjacent pair '8'. A sortin device comprising a track, a

either end of the series.

other end inserted between the adjacent pair of nested strips, and a tape wound helicallly around said base member and over said bin in members.

A sorting. device comprising a base member, reinforcing members secured'transversely of said base member and consisting of; pairs of nested U-sha ed strips, flaps each having one end secure between a pair of nested strips coextensively therewith and the of nested strips, and atape wound helicallly ing members.

carriage mova le along-said track, stops carried by saidcarriage, bumpers'secured to the ends of said track and adapted for engagement by said stops, and a series of mu-- tually overlapping flaps carried b said carriages, said fia s being swingab e on axes lying transverse y of said track and adapted to receive membersof greater width than the flaps and track therebetween.

9.. A sorting device comprising a track member, a carriage movable along said member, .anda series of mutually overlapping flaps carried by said'carriage, saidflaps be-- ing swingable on axeslying transversely of said track, said series of flaps having an overall length. greater than an arms reach from whereof I aflix my signature.

In testimony CHARLES C. CASEY.

ly of said base member and consisting of pairs of nested U-shaped strips, flaps each havin one end securedbetween a pair of neste strips coextensively therewith and the 

